I just finished Remember Me by Sophie Kinsella. It was an awesome book!! The best book that I have read in a while. I really enjoyed it and if you like chic lit, you should definitely read it.
I have read all of the books on my summer 2008 reading list except Queen of Babble Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot. If you have this book, please let me know. I would really like to borrow it.
This is what happens when 4 little girls play with their Grandma Brown. They conk out!!! To be fair, the morning started very early. Grandma came last night and Mallory and Kirsten awoke at 4:45 am ready to play. Being the good daughter that I am, I didn't allow them to wake Grandma up until 6:15. I guess they played, not real sure since I stayed in my room, with the door closed.
At around 8:45 we dressed and went to Chic-fil-a. We ate and played for while. Mallory, Cady, and Becky rode home with me. However, before we went home, I stopped to go through a car wash. At first the girls didn't know what to think but soon found it "cool". They wanted to go back in. Vacuuming with 3 girls in car seats was nearly impossible but I managed. We ate lunch at 12:00 and I made the girls lay down at 12:30. It took them awhile to fall asleep but it was totally worth it. The peace was so nice and relaxing.
This video begins when Mallory spotted Grandma's car coming down the road. As you will see, Mallory got very excited. I couldn't even keep up with her.
Here are some pictures of what was waiting for me when I got home yesterday. This is a typical day. Mallory puts on a pair of my flip flops, yesterday was my "yard shoes", she carries her huge rabbit purse, one or two baby dolls and tells me, "let's go!" We pretend to drive somewhere by sitting on the step near the foyer and the computer room. She gets her Barbie keys, holds them up to start the car and pushes her foot down. She also steers an imaginary wheel. Usually she likes to go to the beach, Chic-fil-a, or Jerry J's (a country cafe in town).
This photo was taken on 7/4/08 at around 9:30 pm. We were waiting for the fireworks to start. At first Mallory was leery about holding the sparkler but she quickly changed her mind when she saw other kids playing with them.
Daniel and I attended the Braves game on Thursday, 7/3/08. They played the Phillies and lost 4-1. The score didn't bother me. In fact, I think I could sit and drink all night regardless. My husband, however, is the total opposite. His mood started changing after the Phillies' first home run and quickly turned sour after their second and third home runs.
Happy Birthday Grandma! The girls couldn't wait until after dinner to sing and little Danny just wanted cake. We had mom's cake several hours before dinner. I hope you are not thinking that mom actually blew out these candles!! Notice that the two biggest girls fought their way to the front. Although I did not have 50 + candles, we did have enough for everyone to pull one out and lick the frosting! You can't see him but little Danny is on mom's right, beside Mallory. I guess he wasn't big enough to squeeze in. Melissa probably thought he would get hurt inside this war zone.
We will be leaving today, around noon, to go to Atlanta. We will be visiting Turner Stadium, Stone Mountain and I think the aquarium. While Daniel and me are at the game, Mallory will be staying with her Papa Don and Grandma Ann. We are expecting to return on late Saturday night.
As everyone knows, this picture is of me, my sister, and my dad. I guess this picture is special because I'm rarely in any pictures. I am usually the one who takes the pictures plus everyone else primarily focuses on the children. This picture was taken at Mallory's fourth birthday party. We had ordered pizza and rented a big bouncer. Everyone spent a lot of time outside watching the kids jump. The party was a huge success and everyone had fun. I think Daniel took this picture.
Since I still don't have a new camera, I thought I would share some of my all time favorite pics. Here is a picture of me holding Mallory for the first time. I don't remember much about my labor because I was overdosed on pain meds. In a way I was very lucky, Mal didn't suffer any harmful effects and I don't remember the pain. However, the medical staff had a hard time keeping me awake during the "pushing" part. This picture was taken by my sister, Kristy.
I just finished reading Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich. It was fairly good, not as good as her early stuff but definitely worth reading. As usual, it had some really funny parts but the ending wasn't as thrilling as the others. In fact, that was the part that disappointed me.
I have left my small locally owned gym, Energy Fitness, to be with my two best friends at the YMCA. I had my first workout there yesterday and I think I will be able to adapt. Or at least, I hope so since membership is higher.
I really had to leave. Energy Fitness converted to a "fitness group" which now specializes in personal training. Each personal training session is $40. I can't afford it and I don't need it.
On the bright side, this change can do me some good. I am going to use this time as an opportunity to re-design my workouts. I have decided to focus more on cardio and less on weights.
This morning Mallory and I went to the Chic-fil-a customer appreciation event. They had one big bouncer, a bouncer obstacle course, and a bouncer slide. She loved all three. I thought she looked like a football player running through the obstacle course.
While she was playing, I registered her for a drawing for a free birthday party. She won!! The party will include free meals and ice cream for 10 kids. Mallory was so busy playing that she didn't even hear her name announced over the loud speaker. They only called her name 100 times.
My good friend, Stacey Turner just announced that she is engaged to be married. I am really excited for her. Mallory and I love weddings.
Now I have two friends getting married. Can life get any better?
Becky, I will definitely help with the shower!!
Since Mallory was sick yesterday afternoon, last night, and this morning, we had to cancel our beach plans with Krystial. Mallory was disappointed but I told her we would try to go next weekend. This is how sick Mallory was: she took a 3 hour nap!!! This is extremely long for her. She barely naps at all and when she does, its for 30-45 minutes.
Yes, its true, my overly active four year old is laying around. She has been vomiting and has had diarrhea. No one is having any fun, especially Daniel since the diarrhea started while she was in the video store with him (alone).
I just finished reading Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovich. It was fairly good, I have read better from this author. However, it did have some funny parts toward the end. I even laughed out loud a couple of times.
I bought some "garden fresh" squash today from a road side stand. Grandma, does this make you think about about one specific memory???
My agency will be going through an audit next week. Pray for us, specifically, me and my charts. I feel confident but you never know.
Still no camera. I spent my extra money on Father's day gifts but I will be getting one soon. I can't stand not being able to take pictures.
When asked what she wanted to get her daddy for Father's Day, Mallory said, " A new truck". We compromised and got Daniel some new shirts from Wal-Mart.
This morning, Daniel slept late and I got up with Mallory. First we baked brownies for Papa Sammy. I asked her if she wanted to have a lick and she said no because we couldn't eat Papa's brownies. However, when I turned my back she helped herself. There was chocolate everywhere and we had to change her clothes and scrub her mouth and hands!!
For Daniel, we cooked home made biscuits. When I got the biscuit cutter out, Mallory got out the cookie cutters. Whatever, we had funny shaped biscuits!!
Mallory went to church with Daniel and his parents. She had a good time but as soon as she came home, she ran up to me and said she was ready to go to Papa Sammy's. We gave daddy a gift card from Wal-Mart, brownies and ice cream. I think he had a good day too.
Last night, I asked Mallory if she wanted some chocolate sauce on her ice cream and she said, "thats what I'm talking about".
She has said this saying two more times since then. Not sure where she picked it up at. Certainly not from me.
Today did not start off well. Mallory didn't want to get up but I reminded her that she was going on a field trip so that helped. The field trip was to see a movie at our local cinema. First thing, Mallory overheard me tell Daniel that she needed $2 for popcorn and a coke. I didn't have any cash, as usual, so I told her I would first take her to school, get some money and then bring it back to her. This was not good enough for her. She was so upset. She kept saying she needed popcorn and coke and had to have money now.
As it turns out, Mallory was not her usual sweet and innocent self. First let me just tell you what was written on her daily report, which was "Mallory was not a very good listener on our field trip to the movie theater today." Can you believe this??? Wait, it gets worse. The teacher told Daniel that after she ate her popcorn she flipped her shoes off (high in the air) and continually kept trying to stand in her chair, I guess this is what was meant by not being a good listener.
Mallory's class is scheduled to go back to the movies next week. However, the school's field trip rules and policies were also home.
Just finished reading the new Nancy Martin book. Mom, you are going to LOVE it. It was one of her best books.
Other books that I want to read:
Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich
Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovich
Remember Me by Sophie Kinsella
Queen of Babble Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot
I have also copied a link that offers great summer reading suggestions. It's in my favorite web site section. I copied it from the Okefenokee Book Club's blog. Did you notice, Mrs. Janice???
p.s. I found the missing bathing suit. It was behind our bed. I vaguely remember Mallory throwing it there.
Clearwater Beach, watch out we're coming!!!!! We will be spending a long weekend in Clearwater in July.
We will also be going to Atlanta on July 3 because we have Braves tickets. I hope to spend a few extra days there but nothing has been confirmed. I would really like to go to Stone Mountain, the Georgia Aquarium and Zoo Atlanta.
My plan is for us to take a few weekend trips during the summer and go back to Disney in the fall. Keep your fingers crossed.
Just finished another book by Meg Cabot. I have already listed it in my "recently read books" side bar. I really enjoy Meg Cabot. She is becoming one of my favorite authors, I am ranking her with Janet Evanovich and Sophie Kinsella.
For more reading suggestions, check out the link to the Okefenokee Book Club. If you have suggestions, list them.
On the last night of swim lessons, each child received a certificate and a free t-shirt. The second picture shows Mallory getting her award and t-shirt. On her way to accept her award, she stepped in every nearby puddle of water, going out of her way twice. It was so funny. Daniel and I were not sitting together. He was standing by the door, getting ready to make a quick getaway, no doubt. I noticed him shaking his head as Mallory was doing this.
We went to swim lessons two nights a week for 4 weeks. During the last week, we misplaced a bathing suit. Still looking for it.
Just want to say thank you Aunt Krystial for letting Mallory take lessons. You know how much she loves them. She has already asked when we were going back.
p.s. I was able to take pictures of this great event because Krystial let me borrow her camera. I really need to get a new camera.
Happy Birthday Cadee!! These pictures were taken at her birthday party that was held over the weekend. The theme was Ariel. This was a good party because Russell grilled hamburgers and hot dogs and Kristy had chips, dip and cake and ice cream so there was plenty to eat.
All of the family was there. Including Grandma and Grandpa Brown, Papa Sammy, and all of the cousins, aunts and uncles. I think Cadee had a great time and she received some awsome gifts.
